Kayla Pearson & Sebastian Gonzalez (2018-2020)
As a student-run natural history museum, it is, of course, integral to the proper functioning of your organization that the student leadership be top-notch. In 2018, the PWM couldn't have asked for two better student ambassadors and environmental educators than Kayla Pearson (c/o '19) and Sebastian Gonzalez (c/o '20).
Two thousand eighteen was a year of major transition for the PWM as a program and organization. Mr. Tacata had just been named the new Instructor of Classes and was, himself, learning everything on the fly. Tacata had a very specific vision for the new direction of the Museum -a transition to a more conservation-themed approach to the tour being a major one- and getting veteran students of the program to buy-in to this new culture was a challenge. Kayla and Sebastian met that challenge and went above and beyond. During a school year that brought constant changes in protocol and major changes in culture, it was these two young people who led the way: mastering and improving the Tour Script, learning how to teach different age-groups on the fly, stalwart students at every Museum event, peer leaders with a sense of patience and grace that most adults fail to attain. They were the first Lead Docents in a new era at the Museum and, in Mr. Tacata's opinion, the "best he ever had."
Kayla Pearson is currently a junior at UC Santa Cruz majoring in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Conservation Science and Policy. Currently, she is an intern for the UCSC Campus Natural Reserve where she works on various animal/plant restoration projects around campus as well as an intern at the Ken Norris Center working as a taxidermy technician, processing and preserving specimens for the UCSC museum collection. And if that wasn't enough for a full-time student, she also works for Santa Cruz State Parks specializing in visitor engagement. In addition to all this, Kayla is also an adept illustrator and has serious thoughts about pursuing a career as a scientific illustrator. If you're interested in her work, check out her portfolio here: kaylapear.com/. Kayla has an immensely bright future ahead of her and we at the PWM are excited about the tremendous amount of love, joy, and passion for wildlife and conservation she will bring to the world in years to come.
Sebastian Gonzalez, a young man particularly adept in the fields of design and construction, is currently in his sophomore year at San Diego State University majoring in Mechanical Engineering. His old instructor, Mr. Tacata, can attest: the young man can fix or build just about anything (as he did during his tenure at the PWM, including the design and construction of the entirety of his namesake, the PWM Gonzalez Tortoise Garden). Sebastian has a true heart for wildlife and conservation, however, his deepest passion is flight: Sebastian earned his CA Private Pilot License as a senior in high school and since, has regularly spent his weekends adding on to his flight time and growing battery of ratings and permits. Sebastian's ultimate goal is to combat the effects of climate change in a very direct way: as a pilot for a wildfire fighting agency such as Cal Fire. Sebastian has the skills, discipline, and passion to achieve whatever he puts his mind and heart into... He has a ton to give our community and, in time, we're certain his gifts will change a lot of lives for the better.
Kayla and Sebastian's contributions to the Museum cannot be overstated; they stepped-up and developed into leaders during a time when the strongest student leaders were needed to guide the program and, as young people of color, served as powerful youth role-models amidst our community's changing demographics. Trust-worthy, quick thinking, articulate, hard-working, motivated, and disciplined, at every level, Kayla and Sebastian exceeded our expectations for defined excellence in a docent from our program and that's the truth... Or as Sebastian would say, "We ain't lion." ;)
As a student-run natural history museum, it is, of course, integral to the proper functioning of your organization that the student leadership be top-notch. In 2018, the PWM couldn't have asked for two better student ambassadors and environmental educators than Kayla Pearson (c/o '19) and Sebastian Gonzalez (c/o '20).
Two thousand eighteen was a year of major transition for the PWM as a program and organization. Mr. Tacata had just been named the new Instructor of Classes and was, himself, learning everything on the fly. Tacata had a very specific vision for the new direction of the Museum -a transition to a more conservation-themed approach to the tour being a major one- and getting veteran students of the program to buy-in to this new culture was a challenge. Kayla and Sebastian met that challenge and went above and beyond. During a school year that brought constant changes in protocol and major changes in culture, it was these two young people who led the way: mastering and improving the Tour Script, learning how to teach different age-groups on the fly, stalwart students at every Museum event, peer leaders with a sense of patience and grace that most adults fail to attain. They were the first Lead Docents in a new era at the Museum and, in Mr. Tacata's opinion, the "best he ever had."
Kayla Pearson is currently a junior at UC Santa Cruz majoring in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Conservation Science and Policy. Currently, she is an intern for the UCSC Campus Natural Reserve where she works on various animal/plant restoration projects around campus as well as an intern at the Ken Norris Center working as a taxidermy technician, processing and preserving specimens for the UCSC museum collection. And if that wasn't enough for a full-time student, she also works for Santa Cruz State Parks specializing in visitor engagement. In addition to all this, Kayla is also an adept illustrator and has serious thoughts about pursuing a career as a scientific illustrator. If you're interested in her work, check out her portfolio here: kaylapear.com/. Kayla has an immensely bright future ahead of her and we at the PWM are excited about the tremendous amount of love, joy, and passion for wildlife and conservation she will bring to the world in years to come.
Sebastian Gonzalez, a young man particularly adept in the fields of design and construction, is currently in his sophomore year at San Diego State University majoring in Mechanical Engineering. His old instructor, Mr. Tacata, can attest: the young man can fix or build just about anything (as he did during his tenure at the PWM, including the design and construction of the entirety of his namesake, the PWM Gonzalez Tortoise Garden). Sebastian has a true heart for wildlife and conservation, however, his deepest passion is flight: Sebastian earned his CA Private Pilot License as a senior in high school and since, has regularly spent his weekends adding on to his flight time and growing battery of ratings and permits. Sebastian's ultimate goal is to combat the effects of climate change in a very direct way: as a pilot for a wildfire fighting agency such as Cal Fire. Sebastian has the skills, discipline, and passion to achieve whatever he puts his mind and heart into... He has a ton to give our community and, in time, we're certain his gifts will change a lot of lives for the better.
Kayla and Sebastian's contributions to the Museum cannot be overstated; they stepped-up and developed into leaders during a time when the strongest student leaders were needed to guide the program and, as young people of color, served as powerful youth role-models amidst our community's changing demographics. Trust-worthy, quick thinking, articulate, hard-working, motivated, and disciplined, at every level, Kayla and Sebastian exceeded our expectations for defined excellence in a docent from our program and that's the truth... Or as Sebastian would say, "We ain't lion." ;)
Devin Bach (2019-2020)
Few docents have shown a mastery of reptilian husbandry and dedication to our live animal collection as Devin Bach displayed during her tenure at the PWM. Devin cared for and loved our reptiles as if they were her own, and as far as Devin was concerned, as long as she was around, they WERE her animals! She knew everything about the creatures in our collection: basic biology and specific adaptations, range and conservation status, diet in the wild and recommended diet in captivity, humidity, heat, and UV requirements, lifespan, common and uncommon ailments, morph and subspecies, date of acquisition... You name it, Dev knew it, and in this role she served as an invaluable and reliable resource for our zoo during a time when the new Instructor was just learning the ropes and the new Animal Care Tech wasn't yet integrated into the school day schedule.
Speaking of schedules, in her Senior year at PHS, Devin was enrolled in one of the Museum Management sections, was TA of the other MM section, and would often spend her 3rd hour off-period in the museum finishing any trouble feedings or husbandry duties left undone by the previous class. In any given week for almost an entire academic school year, Devin would lead up to 8 elementary school tours, then spend another 20 extra hours outside of class to ensure proper feeding and husbandry was completed. Add that to the fact that she was also a straight-A student concurrently enrolled in 2 night classes at the JC, a stalwart bi-weekly volunteer at the Museum's Saturday Open House events, and also a volunteer at the Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito literally saving elephant seals every Tuesday night and you get a better picture of just how talented this young woman was... To paraphrase Maya, "Phenomenal woman, that's her."
Currently, Devin is a sophomore at UC Davis majoring in Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology. She hopes to pursue a career in Marine Pathology or, if the opportunity is right, as a Field Biologist researching any number of the amazing fauna she has come to learn, love, and protect. While attending school via distance learning during her freshman year (due to the statewide Covid shutdown), Devin continued on as an adult volunteer at the Marine Mammal Center and has developed deep ties with the rescue and rehabilitation organization that will, undoubtedly, last throughout her lifetime. Our Museum, our PWM Family, and especially our precious Animal Ambassadors, owe a debt of gratitude for the love, dedication, and care gifted by one of the best to ever come through our program; thank you, Dev, for taking care of us all.
Few docents have shown a mastery of reptilian husbandry and dedication to our live animal collection as Devin Bach displayed during her tenure at the PWM. Devin cared for and loved our reptiles as if they were her own, and as far as Devin was concerned, as long as she was around, they WERE her animals! She knew everything about the creatures in our collection: basic biology and specific adaptations, range and conservation status, diet in the wild and recommended diet in captivity, humidity, heat, and UV requirements, lifespan, common and uncommon ailments, morph and subspecies, date of acquisition... You name it, Dev knew it, and in this role she served as an invaluable and reliable resource for our zoo during a time when the new Instructor was just learning the ropes and the new Animal Care Tech wasn't yet integrated into the school day schedule.
Speaking of schedules, in her Senior year at PHS, Devin was enrolled in one of the Museum Management sections, was TA of the other MM section, and would often spend her 3rd hour off-period in the museum finishing any trouble feedings or husbandry duties left undone by the previous class. In any given week for almost an entire academic school year, Devin would lead up to 8 elementary school tours, then spend another 20 extra hours outside of class to ensure proper feeding and husbandry was completed. Add that to the fact that she was also a straight-A student concurrently enrolled in 2 night classes at the JC, a stalwart bi-weekly volunteer at the Museum's Saturday Open House events, and also a volunteer at the Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito literally saving elephant seals every Tuesday night and you get a better picture of just how talented this young woman was... To paraphrase Maya, "Phenomenal woman, that's her."
Currently, Devin is a sophomore at UC Davis majoring in Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology. She hopes to pursue a career in Marine Pathology or, if the opportunity is right, as a Field Biologist researching any number of the amazing fauna she has come to learn, love, and protect. While attending school via distance learning during her freshman year (due to the statewide Covid shutdown), Devin continued on as an adult volunteer at the Marine Mammal Center and has developed deep ties with the rescue and rehabilitation organization that will, undoubtedly, last throughout her lifetime. Our Museum, our PWM Family, and especially our precious Animal Ambassadors, owe a debt of gratitude for the love, dedication, and care gifted by one of the best to ever come through our program; thank you, Dev, for taking care of us all.
Riley Hammack (2019-2020)
Anyone who watched her work can attest: Riley Hammack was a FORCE OF NATURE during her tenure at the PWM! Instructor of Classes Tacata remembers Riley's time at the Museum fondly as she was "an unbelievably polished and articulate presenter whose passion for the preservation of wildlife and wild places came over visitors like a wash of seafoam in the surf." Riley's ability to connect with children of all ages and communicate complex concepts of conservation to visitors was legendary... Week-in-and-week-out, children armed with all sorts of terrible animal phobias would walk into the museum and, by the end of the tour, Riley would have those same kids with boas around their necks, tarantulas in their palms, and geckos gripping their fingers... Riles brought the smiles! These children would leave the Museum with grins so radiant they could power their own mini food webs :) On tour, Riley was extremely adept at adjusting her vocabulary and tour examples to be age-and-developmentally appropriate for her guests; she was equally proficient at explaining the consequences of habitat loss to 7-year-olds as she was explaining the complexities of trophic cascades to adults.
While Riley's natural teaching abilities were remarkable for her age, even more remarkable was her dedication to the craft: after every tour, she would find a quiet place to reflect, taking mental note on what worked and what didn't, then practice making appropriate adjustments, and come back the next day and execute. Over the course of 2 years, Riley's presentations approached perfection, the only thing slowing her down being a darn global pandemic. Yes, she was a natural, but NO ONE during her tenure at the Museum outworked Riley Hammack and no one had a bigger heart.
Riles is currently a freshman at at Western Washington University majoring in Environmental Ecology with a focus on Education. She hopes, one day, to become a teacher, able to share her passion and knowledge of animals and conservation with folks for a living. In her spare time, she loves biking, hiking, and all-things-outdoors. She's also an active volunteer at various local river restoration organizations based in the Bellingham area and has recently picked up the sport of weightlifting, because the weight of the world on her generation's shoulders isn't enough. Maestra Hammack, keep learning, keep teaching, and never, ever stop loving... The PWM is proud of you <3
Anyone who watched her work can attest: Riley Hammack was a FORCE OF NATURE during her tenure at the PWM! Instructor of Classes Tacata remembers Riley's time at the Museum fondly as she was "an unbelievably polished and articulate presenter whose passion for the preservation of wildlife and wild places came over visitors like a wash of seafoam in the surf." Riley's ability to connect with children of all ages and communicate complex concepts of conservation to visitors was legendary... Week-in-and-week-out, children armed with all sorts of terrible animal phobias would walk into the museum and, by the end of the tour, Riley would have those same kids with boas around their necks, tarantulas in their palms, and geckos gripping their fingers... Riles brought the smiles! These children would leave the Museum with grins so radiant they could power their own mini food webs :) On tour, Riley was extremely adept at adjusting her vocabulary and tour examples to be age-and-developmentally appropriate for her guests; she was equally proficient at explaining the consequences of habitat loss to 7-year-olds as she was explaining the complexities of trophic cascades to adults.
While Riley's natural teaching abilities were remarkable for her age, even more remarkable was her dedication to the craft: after every tour, she would find a quiet place to reflect, taking mental note on what worked and what didn't, then practice making appropriate adjustments, and come back the next day and execute. Over the course of 2 years, Riley's presentations approached perfection, the only thing slowing her down being a darn global pandemic. Yes, she was a natural, but NO ONE during her tenure at the Museum outworked Riley Hammack and no one had a bigger heart.
Riles is currently a freshman at at Western Washington University majoring in Environmental Ecology with a focus on Education. She hopes, one day, to become a teacher, able to share her passion and knowledge of animals and conservation with folks for a living. In her spare time, she loves biking, hiking, and all-things-outdoors. She's also an active volunteer at various local river restoration organizations based in the Bellingham area and has recently picked up the sport of weightlifting, because the weight of the world on her generation's shoulders isn't enough. Maestra Hammack, keep learning, keep teaching, and never, ever stop loving... The PWM is proud of you <3
Bailey Moeller (2021-2022)
During her three-year tenure at the Museum, Bailey Moeller was universally respected by her peers and became a "go-to" leader of the program. She had a beautiful energy about her and an always supportive demeanor as she bridged the diverse and not-always-easy-to-get-along-with mix of personalities that enter our program: she could connect with the animal-loving outsiders (as she loves reptiles and has her own weird-little cold-blooded menagerie at home), held the respect of the "popular" kids (because she was fiercely independent, could drive a clutch, and was over-all just cooler than they were cause she raced motorcycles!), and was flat-out smarter than the academic/honors kids (she was one of the most insightful students Mr. Tacata had in his teaching career). In addition, Bailey worked as an assistant vet tech at an animal clinic in Rohnert Park and was also one of the teen volunteers assisting Bonnie Cromwell and Classroom Safari with the weekly husbandry of their exotic animal collection... You ever read the biographies of folks like astronauts and presidents, that, growing up, they were all living superheroes who could run a 5-minute mile, speak 12 languages, AND were Rhodes Scholars to boot? Yeah, that's Bails ;)
The 2021-22 school year was a year of strange transitions; coming back to school for the first time since the 2-year Covid lockdown, EVERYONE -students and staff- was out-of-sync and looking for leadership. A Jack-of-All Trades, Bailey was the perfect docent to lead this brand-new generation of Museum Management students... She had the last real docent experience at the Museum pre-Covid and was proficient in all the aspects needed to be an excellent docent at the PWM: she was a confident and polished public speaker, had mastered the concepts of conservation biology taught in the class over Zoom, and, because of her trusted connection with her classmates, was excellent at delegating directions and responsibilities to her peers. Along with fellow Lead Docent, Zoey Haines, Bailey successfully piloted the new "Zoo-Haul" program, bringing our Ambassador Animals and message of conservation out to over 1000 elementary students in the community during a time when field trips to the PWM were non-existent.
Bailey is currently attending Cal Poly Humboldt and is enjoying the life of a Zoology major in Mendocino County: redwood hikes, coastal cruises, and tide pool jaunts pepper her time in between Botany lecture and Chem lab. Bailey has her sights on many a pathway including Exotic Animal Veterinarian, but if you looked into her dreams, you'd see Bailey Moeller: Teuthologist, clinging on to the mantle of a giant squid, diving deep into the darkness of the mesopelagic...
Hey, why not?
Superheroes can do anything.
During her three-year tenure at the Museum, Bailey Moeller was universally respected by her peers and became a "go-to" leader of the program. She had a beautiful energy about her and an always supportive demeanor as she bridged the diverse and not-always-easy-to-get-along-with mix of personalities that enter our program: she could connect with the animal-loving outsiders (as she loves reptiles and has her own weird-little cold-blooded menagerie at home), held the respect of the "popular" kids (because she was fiercely independent, could drive a clutch, and was over-all just cooler than they were cause she raced motorcycles!), and was flat-out smarter than the academic/honors kids (she was one of the most insightful students Mr. Tacata had in his teaching career). In addition, Bailey worked as an assistant vet tech at an animal clinic in Rohnert Park and was also one of the teen volunteers assisting Bonnie Cromwell and Classroom Safari with the weekly husbandry of their exotic animal collection... You ever read the biographies of folks like astronauts and presidents, that, growing up, they were all living superheroes who could run a 5-minute mile, speak 12 languages, AND were Rhodes Scholars to boot? Yeah, that's Bails ;)
The 2021-22 school year was a year of strange transitions; coming back to school for the first time since the 2-year Covid lockdown, EVERYONE -students and staff- was out-of-sync and looking for leadership. A Jack-of-All Trades, Bailey was the perfect docent to lead this brand-new generation of Museum Management students... She had the last real docent experience at the Museum pre-Covid and was proficient in all the aspects needed to be an excellent docent at the PWM: she was a confident and polished public speaker, had mastered the concepts of conservation biology taught in the class over Zoom, and, because of her trusted connection with her classmates, was excellent at delegating directions and responsibilities to her peers. Along with fellow Lead Docent, Zoey Haines, Bailey successfully piloted the new "Zoo-Haul" program, bringing our Ambassador Animals and message of conservation out to over 1000 elementary students in the community during a time when field trips to the PWM were non-existent.
Bailey is currently attending Cal Poly Humboldt and is enjoying the life of a Zoology major in Mendocino County: redwood hikes, coastal cruises, and tide pool jaunts pepper her time in between Botany lecture and Chem lab. Bailey has her sights on many a pathway including Exotic Animal Veterinarian, but if you looked into her dreams, you'd see Bailey Moeller: Teuthologist, clinging on to the mantle of a giant squid, diving deep into the darkness of the mesopelagic...
Hey, why not?
Superheroes can do anything.
Zoey Haines (2021-2022)
Penngrove native, Zoey Haines, was born to work with animals. The daughter of a pinniped and pachyderm trainer, Zoey's list of animal husbandry and keeping experience at the end of her senior year looked like a professional's mid-career resume:
Zoey was a straight-A student throughout high school and is easily one of the most polished and complete docents the PWM has ever produced; we are unbelievably proud (and lucky) to have had her, and she can proudly wear those accolades and awards listed above for everyone to see as a testament to her Command Performance career thus far.
However, the Zoey I got to know during her time at the Museum was much more than just the sum of her medals. She was a tender-hearted artist with a deft hand for animalia and a soft-sense for color and texture. As a junior during the Covid shutdown, she spent some 25+ hours cramped and tucked into the lower-case of the Museum's Biodiversity exhibit painting that beautiful elephant in the Poaching exhibit, which was also of her own design. Somehow, she captured both a look of fear and majesty in the eyes of that beast -perfect for the serious nature of the display- and it is the first thing older children comment and gravitate towards when they enter the building. She also painted the expansive Himalayan skyscape that sets the backdrop for our Alpine Exhibit, each cloud beautifully blended, wistful and playful (as playful as the many hidden figures you'll find if you look hard enough; yip-yip!).
Zoey was also an accomplished archer. It's hard to explain to the uninitiated just how difficult it actually is to nock an arrow, stretch and hold a compound bow across your chest without waver, have the concentration and presence of mind to fire between breaths, and go gold on a target over a football field away! Yeah, Zoey could shoot with the best of them and the level discipline it takes to excel in that sport is something Zoey had in droves... I remember she had an archery competition in Atwater the morning of her Senior Prom (155 miles from Petaluma); she got up at 4am, fed and cleaned the cages of all her animals, made an 8am competition start time, medaled, drove to San Francisco by the early afternoon, got dolled up, and by 6pm walked into the Prom at the Academy of Sciences in a stunning black & green dress like she was Katniss, herself!
As dedicated to the Museum as she was, Zoey was also an incredibly devoted band kid, but not in the way you'd think... I once asked her what her favorite style of music was (as well as her favorite band) and she said she really didn't have one and that she appreciates all kinds of music. Thinking that was a cop-out of an answer, I prodded deeper and asked, "So why do you play music? Why are you in band then?" And she said, "I like being able to play in synchronicity with other people, to communicate with each other in a different way... To speak to and with someone else without having to say a word." Damn, Zoey... That's legit.
Zoey is currently attending Santa Rosa Junior College and continues her volunteer duties at Classroom Safari and the Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito. She finished her internship at Safari West at the end of Summer 2022 and hopes to move up into a part-time zookeeper role later this year. Zoey also continues to play flute in the SRJC Band (although she is really hoping to take up the tsungi horn, that is unless everything changes when the Fire Nation attacks) and also continues to compete in the most senior levels of 4-H (chickens, guinea pigs, dogs, and archery). Also, as of November 2022, Zoey is the newest PWM Board Member. Ultimately, Zoey hopes to transfer to a university and pursue a pathway and career in Animal Training & Behavior and Environmental Education. No doubt she'll continue to be and do all the amazing things she's done all along, likely racking up more achievements and accolades along the way. But no matter how much hardware this spectacular young woman takes home, she'll always be, to those of us at the PWM who were lucky enough to really get to know her, much, much more than a medal.
Penngrove native, Zoey Haines, was born to work with animals. The daughter of a pinniped and pachyderm trainer, Zoey's list of animal husbandry and keeping experience at the end of her senior year looked like a professional's mid-career resume:
- 4-H Breeder/Seller (since age 8): chickens (egg-laying & market birds), quail (Japanese & button), rabbits, guinea pigs
- 6x Champion & 3x winner of the Senior Exhibitor Award - Sonoma County Fair: chickens & guinea pigs
- Trainer and Champion (since age 11): dogs (agility)
- Keeper - Safari West (since age 12)
- Husbandry/Maintenance & Public Education - Classroom Safari
- Docent - Marine Mammal Center Youth Crew
- Recipient - 2022 PWM Ron Head Award for Environmental Education
- Recipient - 2022 Sonoma County Fish & Wildlife Commission Scholarship
- Card-carrying member of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (since 2021)
Zoey was a straight-A student throughout high school and is easily one of the most polished and complete docents the PWM has ever produced; we are unbelievably proud (and lucky) to have had her, and she can proudly wear those accolades and awards listed above for everyone to see as a testament to her Command Performance career thus far.
However, the Zoey I got to know during her time at the Museum was much more than just the sum of her medals. She was a tender-hearted artist with a deft hand for animalia and a soft-sense for color and texture. As a junior during the Covid shutdown, she spent some 25+ hours cramped and tucked into the lower-case of the Museum's Biodiversity exhibit painting that beautiful elephant in the Poaching exhibit, which was also of her own design. Somehow, she captured both a look of fear and majesty in the eyes of that beast -perfect for the serious nature of the display- and it is the first thing older children comment and gravitate towards when they enter the building. She also painted the expansive Himalayan skyscape that sets the backdrop for our Alpine Exhibit, each cloud beautifully blended, wistful and playful (as playful as the many hidden figures you'll find if you look hard enough; yip-yip!).
Zoey was also an accomplished archer. It's hard to explain to the uninitiated just how difficult it actually is to nock an arrow, stretch and hold a compound bow across your chest without waver, have the concentration and presence of mind to fire between breaths, and go gold on a target over a football field away! Yeah, Zoey could shoot with the best of them and the level discipline it takes to excel in that sport is something Zoey had in droves... I remember she had an archery competition in Atwater the morning of her Senior Prom (155 miles from Petaluma); she got up at 4am, fed and cleaned the cages of all her animals, made an 8am competition start time, medaled, drove to San Francisco by the early afternoon, got dolled up, and by 6pm walked into the Prom at the Academy of Sciences in a stunning black & green dress like she was Katniss, herself!
As dedicated to the Museum as she was, Zoey was also an incredibly devoted band kid, but not in the way you'd think... I once asked her what her favorite style of music was (as well as her favorite band) and she said she really didn't have one and that she appreciates all kinds of music. Thinking that was a cop-out of an answer, I prodded deeper and asked, "So why do you play music? Why are you in band then?" And she said, "I like being able to play in synchronicity with other people, to communicate with each other in a different way... To speak to and with someone else without having to say a word." Damn, Zoey... That's legit.
Zoey is currently attending Santa Rosa Junior College and continues her volunteer duties at Classroom Safari and the Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito. She finished her internship at Safari West at the end of Summer 2022 and hopes to move up into a part-time zookeeper role later this year. Zoey also continues to play flute in the SRJC Band (although she is really hoping to take up the tsungi horn, that is unless everything changes when the Fire Nation attacks) and also continues to compete in the most senior levels of 4-H (chickens, guinea pigs, dogs, and archery). Also, as of November 2022, Zoey is the newest PWM Board Member. Ultimately, Zoey hopes to transfer to a university and pursue a pathway and career in Animal Training & Behavior and Environmental Education. No doubt she'll continue to be and do all the amazing things she's done all along, likely racking up more achievements and accolades along the way. But no matter how much hardware this spectacular young woman takes home, she'll always be, to those of us at the PWM who were lucky enough to really get to know her, much, much more than a medal.